Amid anti-China sentiments, Pakistan seals Chinese businesses: report

Islamabad: Fearing terrorists targeting Chinese in the nation, Karachi police have shut down some of the Chinese businesses in the city, reports ANI.

Sealing of businesses run or frequented by Chinese was carried out a month after China closed consular section of its embassy in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities already have advised its citizens to be cautious of the ‘deteriorating security situation’ in the nation.

Despite what both the nations tout as ‘brotherly’ relation, Pakistan administration has done little by way of ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens in the nation.

This is nevertheless China repeatedly seeking Islamabad to do enough to enhance security.

Chinese citizens and businesses are facing threat after a growing number of Pakistanis fear China is ‘encroaching on their land’ under the pretext of economic cooperation.

Close on the heels of this, terrorist groups operating in Pakistan began targeting Chinese nationals and projects, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Pakistan finds it hard to control the anti-China sentiments spreading in the nation, despite it is threatening to come in the way of bilateral relations.

In order to safeguard Chinese projects and nationals, Pakistan may have to finance a dedicated military unit which is not affordable for the cash-strapped nation at the moment, as per a report by Business Standard.

As the situation is going out of control, China’s foreign minister Qin Gang shared concern with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, which, however, has not improved the situation.

Ironically, Chinese nationals are facing main threat from militant outfits in Sindh province ruled by Bhutto-Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Alongside this, Karachi police directed sealing off Chinese businesses in the city following intelligence alerts in mid-March.

Subsequently, police shut down a Chinese restaurant, a supermarket, and a marine product company alleging ‘ non-compliance with standard security protocols’ in the region.

Karachi has reportedly been a main theatre of attack on Chinese national since terrorists groups began targeting Chinese nationals and businesses.

The most notable of the attacks was reported in April 2022 when a suicide bombing killed three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani driver near the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi.

Another attack was reported previously in June 2020 on a stock exchange building, partly owned by a Chinese consortium.

Meanwhile, the Baloch Liberation Army reportedly claimed responsibility for all three attacks.

Attacks on Chinese nationals and institutions in Pakistan causes concern in Beijing, threatening to spoil relationship between ‘brotherly’ nations.